Architectural decorations from late Sassanid/Early Islamic Period (6th or 7th century CE). The Sassanians’ imperial capital was Seleucia-Ctesiphon (modern-day Baghdad), one of the greatest cities of ancient Mesopotamia. Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.
Photo by Babylon Chronicle
May 12, 2013
British archaeologist Jeff Allen, who worked as a consultant for the World Monuments Fund in Babylon, told the Iraqi daily newspaper al-Sabaah that a second gate of the Babylonian goddess Ishtar is buried beneath the ancient city in Southern Iraq. The newspaper quoted Allen as saying that the unearthed gate is made of fired bricks and it is different from the other famous Ishtar Gate, the one made with the blue-glazed bricks and currently in the Pergamon Museum.
Allen stated that the research and studies conducted in the Processional Street of Babylon confirmed the presence of a second gate of Ishtar that requires great effort to excavate. The challenge, however, is getting Iraqi visas for the different members of the international archaeological team that can work on the project and also train the local archeologists.
On the other hand, the Chairman of the Cultural Committee in the Iraqi Parliament Ali Al-Shallah has criticized the local government in Babylon Province for wasting ten million U.S. dollars given by the Iraqi Federal Government to support the historical conservation efforts in Babylon. Instead of initiating projects to protect the ancient city, the local government in Babylon handed the federal allocations to the local landlords who owned the land where the large ancient site was unearthed.
Foundation deposit of King Warad-Sin of Larsa in ancient Mesopotamia, 1834-1823 BCE. The bronze statues found in several locations depict the image of the royal donor carrying the first basket of earth. Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.
Photo by Babylon Chronicle
Cast and engraved bronze cat from Khurasan in Persia. The cat probably dates back to the 12th century CE from the Seljuq era in Persia, Mesopotamia and parts of Anatolia. Worcester Art Museum. Worcester, MA.
Photo by Babylon Chronicle
Relief showcasing an attendant with two horses from the Assyrian era (668-626 BCE). Worcester Art Museum. Worcester, MA.
Photo by Babylon Chronicle
17th century underglazed dish from the era of the Safavid dynasty that ruled modern-day Iran, Iraq, Azerbaijan and parts of Afghanistan. The Art Institute of Chicago, Chicago, IL.
Photo by Babylon Chronicle
Foundation deposits of Gudea, ruler of the city of Lagash in the Post-Akkadian Mesopotamia about 2200-2100 BCE. Gudea’s statues can be seen in different museums around the world. Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.
Photo by Babylon Chronicle
Gold coin, Aureus, from ancient Rome with bust of Trajan, the only Roman Emperor to conquer Southern Mesopotamia and Babylonia and turn them into Roman provinces. The coin dates back to 114-117 CE. Boston Museum of Fine Arts, Boston, MA.
Photo by Babylon Chronicle
April 5, 2013
On Thursday, Sky News Arabia reported that British archeologists have unearthed the first major archaeological site in Southern Iraq since the 1980s. According to the UAE-based news channel, the British team has found a huge complex near the ancient city of Ur.
Professor Stuart Campbell of the Department of Archaeology at the University of Manchester stated that the site is about four thousand years old, and it is possible that it used to be an administrative center for the ancient city of Ur. He added: “This is a breathtaking find and we feel privileged to be the first to work at this important site.”
Today, the website of the University of Manchester in the United Kingdom posted more details about this major archeological discovery.
